Layer Marney Tower facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Layer Marney Tower |
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Layer Marney Tower Gatehouse, the tallest Tudor gatehouse in Britain
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| Type | Prodigy House |
| Location | Layer Marney, Essex |
| Built | c.1523 |
| Architectural style(s) | Tudor |
| Website | layermarneytower.co.uk |
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Layer Marney Tower is a historic country house from the early Tudor period. It is located in Layer Marney, Essex, England. The house is famous for its very tall gatehouse, but it was never fully completed.
The tower was built around 1523, during the reign of King Henry VIII. Its gatehouse is the tallest Tudor gatehouse in all of Britain, standing about 80 feet (24 metres) high. The building is made of brick and terracotta, a type of baked clay. This was a rare style at the time.
The project was started by Henry, 1st Lord Marney. He died in 1523, before it was finished. His son, John, took over but died just two years later. Since John had no sons, the family line ended, and the construction stopped. Only the main gatehouse, a long main building, and a few other structures were ever built.
Because of its historical importance, the tower was made a Grade I listed building in 1952. This means it is officially recognized as a building of special interest.
History of the Tower
The story of Layer Marney Tower is full of interesting events, from its construction to its modern-day owners.
Damage and Restoration
In 1884, a strong earthquake hit the area and caused a lot of damage to the buildings. A magazine article at the time said the tower was in such bad shape that it seemed unlikely anyone would ever fix it.
Luckily, a brother and sister named Alfred and Kezia Peache decided to save the tower. They repaired the floors and roof of the gatehouse. They also created the beautiful garden that can be seen south of the tower.
Later, a new owner named Walter de Zoete continued the restoration. He hired many people to help. He made the gardens even larger and built a small, decorative building called the Tea House. He also turned the old stables into a Long Gallery to display his collection of furniture and art. Because of his work, the inside of the tower looks more like it did in the Edwardian era than in Tudor times.
The Charrington Family
Walter de Zoete eventually sold the house. In 1959, it was bought by the Charrington family. Gerald and Susan Charrington had been married in the church next to the tower two years earlier. The Charrington family has lived in and cared for the tower ever since.
The gardens are also officially protected. They are listed as Grade II on the Register of Historic Parks and Gardens.
The Tower Today
Layer Marney Tower is a popular place for visitors. The tower and its gardens are open to the public during the warmer months of the year. It is also a popular venue for weddings and other events.
The tower has been used as a location for movies and TV shows. It appeared in Pasolini's Canterbury Tales and the TV show Lovejoy. In 2010, a BBC show called Climbing Great Buildings explored the tower in detail. The popular show Antiques Roadshow also filmed an episode there in 2011.
In 2019, the tower was featured on the Channel 4 show Four in a Bed, where the owners welcome guests to stay overnight.
